KS3 & KS4 Art & Design
As the Art and Design Department at Townsend we aim that every student should gain and develop a lifelong love of Art & Design in whatever way, shape or form. We do this by helping students develop skills and ways of thinking that are transferable into other areas in their life and future careers.
As a department we want students to understand that Art is not only a practical subject but academic as it engages with: history, politics and society, social, economic, cultural and spiritual aspects of the past, present and future. Our curriculum aims to help student’s students to develop an understanding of the different beliefs, values and viewpoints of various artists, craft persons and designers, which ties in with our Respect for all policy.
Our vision is that the overwhelming majority of our students will achieve their personal bests throughout the course and move into higher education in Art, and some into Art and Design based careers. That students become independent learners and thinkers through a varied curriculum at KS3, 4 and 5.
Course Details
The course follows the Townsend Curriculum alongside the National Curriculum as a guide covering a range of topics throughout Years 7, 8 and 9.
Course Description
The KS3 Art and Design Curriculum at Townsend encourages students to develop their creativity and self expression. Students are able to experience a wide variety of media, techniques and processes throughout Year 7, 8 and 9 building on prior learning from KS2. Through an exciting knowledge rich curriculum students are introduced to a range of different artists, art movements and cultures, linking to SMSC. Students learn about the impact of art and design in Great Britain and the wider world and how this impacts their own work. The curriculum focuses on the key formal element of art through a range of different projects with each aiming to build on prior learning from Year 7 into 9.
Programme of Study
Students will work through 3 different topics and engage in practical tasks, discussion, group work and homework projects. Each theme is designed to develop a balance of practical skills, knowledge and understanding. Students will experiment with both 2D and 3D formats and explore techniques including painting, printing, collage and sculpture.
Year 7
Project 1 – Still Life – Vanitas
In year 7 students begin to develop a more realistic style of drawing and are taught the importance of keen observation, accurate line and use of tone. Students are Introduced to the key formal element of art through the drawing of the basic shapes. They will then go on to develop their observational drawing and tonal shading skill in order to create a still life influenced by Dutch Vanitas paintings.
Project 2 – Colour Theory / Animals – Franz Marc
During this project students are introduced to colour theory, the colour wheel, mixing paints and paint application techniques, focusing on the theme of animals and the Expressionist artist Franz Marc. Students will learn about how artists use colour to convey mood and feeling in their work linking to SMSC. Students will go on to create their own response to this theme based on an animal and colour of their choosing.
Project 3 – Clay Vessels – Under the Sea
In this project, students dive into the world of 3D clay sculpture, drawing inspiration from the contemporary sculptor Heather Knight’s work and the artist Yellena James. They explore aquatic elements and bring their unique interpretations to life through drawings and clay.
Year 8
Project 1 – Portraiture – Cubism and Picasso
This project aims to cover the basics of portraiture. Students will be introduced to the history of portraiture and varying styles focusing on Cubism, Picasso, Braque and those influenced by this art movement. Through drawing activities students will develop their own final cubist inspired portrait.
Project 2 – Surrealist and Insects
During this project students will learn about Surrealism and two prominent artists within this movement, Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte, work will also link to steam punk and insects. They will develop their observational drawing and design skills in order to create a 2D outcome using Lino printing techniques. Students will be able to learn paper maching techniques and develop their painting skills further.
Project 3 – African Art
For project 3 Year 8 students will be studying the continent of Africa, and its diverse cultures. Students will learn about different countries and focus on a country of their choice. They will learn about the people, beliefs, traditions and their art work amongst other things. They will draw from observation and secondary sources and create a range of work, culminating in the development of design ideas and a final outcome.
Year 9
At the start of Year 9 students take part in a variety of skills based workshops. They then go on to study the theme of Natural Forms and are introduced to a wide range of artists, craft persons and designers to draw inspiration from. Student also attend a gallery visit in order to gain first-hand experience of works of art close up. Students produce a portfolio on the theme linking to all four assessment objectives.
Project 1 – Architecture and Structures
Project 2 – Mythical Creatures James DeRosso
During this project students will learn about The work of James DeRosso and revisit ceramic techniques taught in year 7. The project will draw on mythical creatures, and other sources for inspiration. They will go on to develop their observational drawing and design skills in order to create a 3D ceramic outcome.
Project 3 – Identity
Assessment
Regular assessment of work is used to promote and improve learning. Students are assessed through formative, summative and peer assessment.
Home Learning
Students are given artist based research to complete in the form of extended projects.
Where can Art and Design take you
Further Study
- GCSE Art
- A Level Art
- Fine Art
- Art and Design
- Graphic Communication
- Textiles
- 3-Dimensional Design
Careers
- Artist
- Interior Designer
- Set Designer
- Animator
- Web Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Illustrator
- Fine Artist
- Commercial Artist
- Museum Curator
- Digital 3D Modeller
- Video Games Designer
Student Art Guide – https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/art-careers-list
How parents can support their child’s learning
- To encourage them to continue to develop their skills in this subject outside of the classroom, utilising online videos as a means to practise and improve further.
- Ask them about what they have been taught at school in order to reinforce prior learning.
- To support them in improving their knowledge and understanding of different artists, craft persons and designers. This can be done through in-depth research and visits to see works of art first hand in museums and galleries, locally and in the wider area if possible.
Useful Links
- Paul Carney Arts – https://www.paulcarneyarts.com/key-stage-3-art
- Drawing Tutorials – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz5HDRMEF1E
- Arty Factory – https://www.artyfactory.com/
